🔧 CR-V - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills with fresh oil to protect your engine from wear and sludge. On your CR-V, it’s a straightforward job as long as you lift and support it safely and don’t over-tighten the drain plug or filter.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the CR-V with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 15-30 minutes if it was just driven.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and serpentine belt area; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range)
• Oil filter wrench (cap or strap type)
• Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 5 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and loosen the oil fill cap (on top of the engine). This helps the crankcase vent while draining.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the CR-V at the front center jacking point.
• Set it down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper support points.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before crawling underneath.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Slide the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old drain plug crush washer (a soft metal sealing ring) from the drain plug and install the new one.

Step 3: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-80 Nm range) to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 39 Nm (29 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity) under the oil filter area (some oil will spill when the filter comes off).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter (if it sticks to the engine, peel it off). Double-gasket = big leak.

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Dip a gloved finger in new oil and lightly oil the new filter’s rubber gasket (this helps it seal and come off next time).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten by hand an additional 3/4 turn.
• If you must use an oil filter wrench (cap or strap type) to finish, use it gently—do not crush the filter.

Step 6: Refill with new oil

• Lower the CR-V off the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole and add engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic).
• Start by adding about 4.0 quarts, then install the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, check for leaks, then set the oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 3-5 minutes for oil to drain back into the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter (use safety glasses and a light).
• Pull the dipstick, wipe it with shop towels, reinsert fully, then recheck.
• Add oil as needed to reach the upper mark. Typical fill (with filter) is about 4.4 US quarts (4.2 L).

Step 8: Reset the Maintenance Minder (oil life)

• Turn the ignition to ON (II) without starting.
• Press the Select/Reset button until the oil life (%) is displayed.
• Press and hold Select/Reset for about 10 seconds until the oil life starts blinking, then release.
• Press and hold Select/Reset again for about 5 seconds to reset to 100%.

---

✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after your first short drive and top off if needed.
• Look underneath one more time for any seepage at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at a recycling center or auto parts store that accepts waste oil.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $30-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$90 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.